Multilens photocomposing mechanism

ABSTRACT

The use of a plurality of lenses projecting a character to permit different magnifications thereof. The lenses are stationary and there is a movable reflector mechanism that directs the images of the character through any selected lens of the system.

United States Patent [191 Sinnott et al.

[11] 3,827,063 July 30, 1974 MULTILENS PHOTOCOMPOSING MECHANISM [75]lnventors: David J. Sinnott, Ringwood; Donald E. Alecci, Pine Brook,both of NJ.

[73] Assignee: Star-New Era, Inc., South Hackensack, NJ.

[22] Filed: July 5, 1972 [2]] Appl. No.: 269,194

[52] US. Cl. 95/4.5 R, 95/4.5 [51] Int. Cl B4lb 21/26 [58] Field ofSearch 95/4.5

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,21 L320 8/1940 Efron95/4.5 X

3,099,945 8/1963 OBrien ..95/4.5 3,486,429 l2/l969 Morisawa ..95/4.5

Primary Examiner-John M. Horan Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Holland,Armstrong, Wilkie & Previto [5 7] ABSTRACT The use of a plurality oflenses projecting a character to permit different magnificationsthereof. The lenses are stationary and there is a movable reflectormechanism that directs the images of the character through any selectedlens of the system.

42 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PAIENTEU JUL301974 SHEETHOFS MULTILENSPI-IOTOCOMPOSING MECHANISM DESCRIPTION The present invention is directedto a photocomposing machine in which a light beam is directed from alight source through a font and onto a reflecting surface forredirection to a photo-sensitive sheet of material.

It is sometimes desirable to magnify characters that are being projectedonto the photo-sensitive sheet and for this purpose, different lenseswith different magnifications may be used for viewing the characters ofa particular font. Heretofore, photocomposing machines have utilizedcomplicated mechanisms for moving lenses in and out of position forreceiving the light through a particular character. These requirecomplicated control mechanisms which increases the cost of maintenanceand manufacture of such machines.

The present invention eliminates these problems and has, for one of itsobjects, the provision of an improved photocomposing machine withimproved means for changing the magnification of the characters of afont.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improvedphotocomposing machine wherein a plurality a lenses are provided and amovable beamdirecting assembly is provided to direct the beam through apreselected lens.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improvedmeans for permitting the lenses to remain stationary and for moving thebeam-directing assembly to the proper position without complicatedaligning mechanisms.

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon anunderstanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described orwill be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages notreferred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employmentof the invention in practice.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes ofillustration and description and is shown in the accompanying drawings,forming a part of the specification, wherein:

FIG. 1 is. a diagrammatic view of the photocomposing system inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a section of the transparent type font which may be used withthe present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top elevational view of the light beam assembly mechanism inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the lens system.

FIG. 5 is a front end view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a rear end view thereof;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 4.

Referring more particularly to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1,the photocomposing machine to be used with the present invention isdescribed and shown in US. Pat. application Ser. No. 825,692 filed May19, 1969 and is schematically shown in FIG. 1.

A source of light 1 is powered by a power supply 2 to create an intense,short burst of light 17 at a wave length most suited for thelight-sensitive material or film 16 being used. The source of light 1may be any high intensity light source which gives a monochromatic beam,such as a laser or a flash tube. Of course, other light sources may alsobe used if desired.

The light beam 17 may pass through a modulator (not shown) and continuesto a character font drum assembly 4. The font drum assembly 4 which iscontinuously rotated by motor 19. The drum assembly 4 comprises drum 40,having a film strip 4!; consisting of a plurality of fonts oftransparent characters 42 and 4d. When the light beam 17 is generated,as explained in greater detail hereinafter, it is directed to aredirecting mechanism 25, which in the drawings is shown as being apenta reflector. It is then redirected through a selected character inthe font strip 4b and the image 171) formed of that character isdirected to a lens system 8.

The lens system 8 will direct the character image 17b to a reflectingsurface 9, which is shown in the application as a mirror, for reflectingthe character image 17b onto the photo-sensitive film 16 as at 26. Themirror 9 is moved by a motor 10 so that the image 17b of the characterprojected by the mirror 9 will be directed to a different part of thephoto-sensitive film 16 to form the line 26. In other words, as eachcharacter image 17b is flashed onto the sheet 16, the mirror 9 isadjusted to sweep an arc across the face of photo-sensitive material 16so that a line of characters 26 is impressed thereon.

The mirror 9 is rotated predetermined increments so that the line 26will be justified. The distance between the mirror 9 and the paper film16 is so great that the distortion of the image projected on the paperis minimal, if at all.

At the end of a line 26 the film is moved upwardly so that another linecan be printed. The film then passes through a developer mechanism 23and is then cut by cutting mechanism 24 into strips for future use andassembly.

Above the bank of characters 4d and 4e on the rotating drum film strip4b, there is provided a plurality of counting gate openings 18. One gateopening 18 is mounted in line with characters 4d and 4e. The drum 4c isprovided with a light source 27 adapted to project light through eachgate 18 as the gate 18 passes thereby. The light is directed onto acontrol photo diode 5. When the photo diode 5 is activated, a pulse isgenerated which is fed into a counter mechanism 6. The output of thiscounter 6 is fed to a gate 7 (which is connected to the light powersupply 2) and represents one of the conditions of the gate 7.

A tape reader 12 is adapted to sense code combinations on a tape (notshown) and transfer them to an electronic computer (not shown) which haspredetermined character and line data therein and which has storedtherein a particular number count to each character. The count istransferred to the gate mechanism 7 and when the count of a particularcharacter is reached by the counter 6 it coincides with the count fromthe computer to satisfy conditions of gate 7.

A pulse is sent to the light powered supply 2 and to the character widthand spacing electronics (not shown). However, the signal to the powersupply 2 is inhibited. After a time interval, e.g., 2 microseconds, themirror 9 is moved a predetermined angle directly proportional to thewidth and spacing of the particular character to be reproduced. As soonas the mirror is in position, the inhibit is released and the lightpower supply 2 is activated to flash the light source 1.

In order to obtain different magnifications for the characters on thefont 4b, the beam 17b is directed to different lens assemblies 80 and 8hin the lens system 8 after it has passed through a character in the font4b. A plurality of stationary lens assemblies 8a to 8h are preferablymounted in a circular path with the light beam 17b acting as the axis. Abeam-directing assembly 30 comprising mirror assemblies 31 and 31a movesin a circular path around beam 17b and moves the mirror assemblies 31and 31a into alignment with the lens assemblies 8a to 8h to direct thelight beam 17 through a preselected lens assembly 8a to 8h. Thebeamdirecting assembly 30 comprises a pair of periscope mirrorassemblies 31 and 31a movable in unison around beam 17b as an axis. Thepath of the light beam 17b is reflected from the reflector 25 in thedrum 4 to the rotating mirror 9 through the selected lens assembly 8a to8h by means of the periscope mirror assemblies 31 and 31a.

Each mirror assembly 31 and 31a comprises an inner mirror 35 and 35a andan outer mirror 36 and 36a, respectively, connected together in parallelrelationship to each other. The outer mirrors 36 and 36a are inalignment with the center lines of the lens assemblies 8a through 8h sothat when the mirror assemblies 31 and 31a are moved, the outer mirror31a will be moved from one lens assembly to another lens assembly.

The position of the inner mirror 35 which is in line with the beam 17bis at such an angle to the beam 17b so as to reflect the beam in anupward direction 170 onto the outer mirror 36. The outer mirror 36 isparallel to and faces the inner mirror 35 and is in such a position sothat the beam 17c is redirected in a horizontal path 17d preferably atright angles to the upward beam 17c. The beam 17d is preferably parallelto the beam 17b and is so positioned as to go through the center line ofthe preselected lens assembly 8a to 8h.

The assembly 31a is similarly constructed so that the beam 17d isreflected at right angles by outer mirror 36 to form a vertical beam l7ewhich is again reflected at right angles by inner mirror 35a to form anemerging beam 17f which is then directed against reflecting mirror 9.Preferably, the beam 17f is an extension of the original beam 17b and isin precisely the same position as the original beam 17b. Hence, as themirror system 30 which is comprised of a pair of periscopically mountedmirrors 31 and 31a is rotated and moved from one lens assembly toanother, the beam 17b is made to travel in the path described above andpasses through the selected lens to give the image the desiredmagnification.

ln the construction of the invention, shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the lensassemblies 8a to 8h are mounted peripherally on a lens frame 32 which iscentrally located on the lens assembly 30. Each lens number 8a to 8hcomprises a cylindrical lens holder 33 and a lens 34 mounted therein.The different lenses have different magnifications. The lens assemblies8a to 8h are preferably held in place by suitable lens clips 50.

Mounted centrally of the lens assembly 30 and extending through theframe 32 is a rotatable shaft 40 which is attached to a drive gear 41. Aposition wheel 43 is mounted on the shaft 40 for rotation therewith. Theposition wheel 43 has a plurality of openings 42 therein, one of whichis in alignment with opening 38a in the mirror assembly 31a. The otherend of the shaft 40 has the other mirror assembly 31 which is mounted onthe frame 44 and which is rotatable with shaft 40. Thus, when the shaft40 is rotated, both mirror assemblies 31 and'31a are rotated together.

As pointed out above, each mirror assembly 31 and 31a comprises an innermirror 35 and 35a and an outer mirror 36 and 36a in parallelrelationship to each other and are connected together by a frame 39 and39a. The inner opening 37 and 37a in the frame are in alignment withbeam 17b and 17f and an outer opening 38 and 38a are in alignment withthe opening 42 on the position wheel 43, the beam 17d and the lensassemblies 8a to 8h.

Thus, when the position wheel 43 is rotated, the openings 38 and 38awill be positioned from one lens to another lens.

The drive gear 41 moves the wheel 43 until the opening 42 and mirrorassemblies 31 and 31a are in alignment with the desired lens assembly 8ato 8h. The wheel 43 has fine adjustment pins 44 thereon which areadapted to be acted on by fork-like adjuster 46 controlled by solenoid47 in order to move the wheel until the mirror assemblies 31 and 31a arein proper position.

The wheel 43 is provided with a weight 51 and with test mirrors 48 and49 used to adjust and test the machine before it is used.

With the above construction, it will be seen that when differentmagnifications of a character from the same font is desired, it ismerely necessary to energize a drive which rotates the mirror assembly30 until the periscope mirror assemblies 31 and 31a are opposite thedesired lens, at which point the drive is stopped and the fineadjustment fork 46 is activated to engage the fine adjustment pins 44 sothat the periscope assemblies 31 and 31a are placed in the exactposition to pass the light beam through the desired lens assembly 8a to8h.

Hence, the present invention provides an improved mechanism for aphotocomposing machine whereby means are provided for changing themagnification of the characters, for using stationary lenses anda-movable mirror assembly and for permitting the mirror assembly to moveeasily from one position to another.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangementof the parts herein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to beunderstood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrativeand not in a limiting sense.

Having described our invention, we claim:

1. A photocomposing machine comprising means for generating a beam oflight, a font assembly for a plurality of transpartent characters; meansfor directing the light beam through a character in said font assembly;a lens system through which said light beam is directed along anoriginal path; said lens system comprising a plurality of lensassemblies; a reflecting mechanism adapted to direct said beam away fromsaid original path through one of said lens assemblies; means fordirecting the light beam emerging from said lens assembly back to a pathparallel to said original path; and means for moving said reflectingmechanism from a position to direct the beam through one of said lensassemblies to a position to direct the beam through another of said lensassemblies.

2. A photocomposing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidreflecting mechanism is movable in a curved path.

3. A photocomposing machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein said lensassemblies are located in a curved pattern coincident with said curvedpath.

4. A photocomposing machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein saidreflecting mechanism comprises a periscope assembly.

5. A photocomposing machine as claimed in claim 4,

v wherein said periscope assembly is provided with reflecting means todivert the beam from the font from its path and is caused to passthrough one of the lens assemblies before it is directed onto thephoto-sensitive material.

6. A photocomposing machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein the beamleaving the lens is parallel to the entering beam.

7. A photocomposing machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein saidreflecting mechanism comprises a periscope assembly on each side of saidlens system.

8. A photocomposing machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein the periscopeassembly on the side of said lens assembly opposite the font is adaptedto move in unison with the first periscope assembly to divert the beamemerging from the lens assembly.

9. A photocomposing machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein eachperiscope assembly comprises an inner mirror and an outer mirror. g

10. A photocomposing machine as claimed in claim 9, wherein the twoperiscope assemblies comprise an inner mirror and an outer mirror inopposite and similarly angled relationship to each other.

11. A photocomposing machine as claimed in claim 10, wherein said secondassembly is mounted on a position wheel.

12. A photocomposing machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein saidposition wheel has a plurality of openings through which the beam isdirected.

13. A photocomposing machine as claimed in claim 12, wherein eachperiscope assembly has an outer opening and an inner opening oppositethe outer and inner mirrors.

14. A photocomposing machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein a shaftconnects the two periscope assemblies so that they rotate in unison.

15. A photocomposing machine as claimed in claim 14, wherein the mirrorsof the two periscope assemblies are in alignment with each other.

16. A photocomposing machine as claimed in claim 15, wherein fineadjustment pins extend from said position wheel.

17. A photocomposing machine as claimed in claim 16, wherein a forkedfine adjustment adjacent said wheel is adapted to engage the fineadjustment pins.

18. A photocomposing machine as claimed in claim 17, wherein a solenoidadjacent said wheel is adapted to adjust the fine adjustment system.

19. A photocomposing machine as claimed in claim l8 wherein test lensmechanisms are mounted on a frame below each periscope assembly, saidtest lens mechanisms being in alignment with the mirror of the periscopeassembly to test whether the periscope assemblies are in properalignmentwith each other.

20. A photocomposing machine as claimed in claim 19 wherein acounterweight is positioned on the position wheel to properly align themirror of the periscope assembly with the test lensmechanism therebelow.

21. A photocomposing machine as claimed in claim 20, wherein the lensassemblies comprise a cylindrical lens holder and a lens therewithin,

22. A photocomposing machine as claimed in claim 21, wherein said lensassemblies are held in place on a frame by a clip mechanism.

23. A reflecting mechanism for a photocomposing comprising a lens systemthrough which a light beam is directed; said lens system comprising aplurality of lens assemblies; said reflecting mechanism being adapted todirect said beam through one of said lens assemblies; means for movingsaid reflecting mechanism from a position to direct the beam through oneof said lens assemblies to a position to direct the beam through anotherof said lens assemblies; said reflecting mechanism comprising aperiscope assembly, said periscope assembly being provided withreflecting means to divert an incoming beam from its path and to causeit to pass through one of the lens assemblies.

24. A reflecting mechanism as claimed in claim 23, wherein saidreflecting mechanism is movable in a curved path.

25. A reflecting mechanism as claimed in claim 24, wherein said lensassemblies are located in a curved pattern coincident with said curvedpath.

26. A reflecting mechanism as claimed in claim 25, wherein the beamleaving the lens is parallel to the entering beam.

27. A reflecting mechanism as claimed in claim 26, wherein saidreflecting mechanism comprises a periscope assembly on each side of saidlens system.

28. A reflecting mechanism as claimed in claim 27, wherein the twoperiscope assemblies are adapted to move in unison with each other.

29. A reflecting mechanism as claimed in claim 28, wherein eachperiscope assembly comprises an inner mirror and an outer mirror.

30. A reflecting mechanism as claimed in claim 29, wherein the twoperiscope assemblies comprise an inner mirror and an outer mirror inopposite and similarly angled relationship to each other.

31. A reflecting mechanism as claimed in claim 30, wherein said secondassembly is mounted on a position wheel.

32. A reflecting mechanism as claimed in claim 31, wherein said positionwheel has a plurality of openings through which the beam is directed.

33. A reflecting mechanism as claimed in claim 32, wherein eachperiscope assembly has an outer opening and an inner opening oppositethe outer and inner mirrors.

34. A reflecting mechanism as claimed in claim 33, wherein a shaftconnects the two periscope assemblies so that they rotate in unison.

35. A reflecting mechanism as claimed in claim 34, wherein the mirrorsof the two periscope assemblies are in alignment with each other.

36. A reflecting mechanism as claimed in claim 35, wherein fineadjustment pins are mounted on said position wheel.

37. A reflecting mechanism as claimed in claim 36, wherein a forked fineadjustment mechanism is adapted to engage the fine adjustment pins.

wherein a counterweight is positioned on the position wheel to properlyalign the mirror of the periscope assembly with the test lens mechanismtherebelow.

41. A reflecting mechanism as claimed in claim 40, wherein the lensassemblies comprise a cylindrical lens hold and a lens therewith.

42. A reflecting mechanism as claimed in claim 41, wherein said lensassemblies are held in place by a clip mechanism.

* i i i

1. A photocomposing machine comprising means for generating a beam oflight, a font assembly for a plurality of transpartent characters; meansfor directing the light beam through a character in said font assembly;a lens system through which said light beam is directed along anoriginal path; said lens system comprising a plurality of lensassemblies; a reflecting mechanism adapted to direct said beam away fromsaid original path through one of said lens assemblies; means fordirecting the light beam emerging from said lens assembly back to a pathparallel to said original path; and means for moving said reflectingmechanism from a position to direct the beam through one of said lensassemblies to a position to direct the beam through another of said lensassemblies.
 2. A photocomposing machine as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid reflecting mechanism is movable in a curved path.
 3. Aphotocomposing machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein said lensassemblies are located in a curved pattern coincident with said curvedpath.
 4. A photocomposing machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein saidreflecting mechanism comprises a periscope assembly.
 5. A photocomposingmachine as claimed in claim 4, wherein said periscope assembly isprovided with reflecting means to divert the beam from the font from itspath and is caused to pass through one of the lens assemblies before itis directed onto the photo-sensitive material.
 6. A photocomposingmachine as claimed in claim 5, wherein the beam leaving the lens isparallel to the entering beam.
 7. A photocomposing machine as claimed inclaim 6, wherein said reflecting mechanism comprises a periscopeassembly on each side of said lens system.
 8. A photocomposing machineas claimed in claim 7, wherein the periscope assembly on the side ofsaid lens assembly opposite the font is adapted to move in unison withthe first periscope assembly to divert the beam emerging from the lensassembly.
 9. A photocomposing machine as claimed in claim 8, whereineach periscope assembly comprises an inner mirror and an outer mirror.10. A photocomposing machine as claimed in claim 9, wherein the twoperiscope assemblieS comprise an inner mirror and an outer mirror inopposite and similarly angled relationship to each other.
 11. Aphotocomposing machine as claimed in claim 10, wherein said secondassembly is mounted on a position wheel.
 12. A photocomposing machine asclaimed in claim 11, wherein said position wheel has a plurality ofopenings through which the beam is directed.
 13. A photocomposingmachine as claimed in claim 12, wherein each periscope assembly has anouter opening and an inner opening opposite the outer and inner mirrors.14. A photocomposing machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein a shaftconnects the two periscope assemblies so that they rotate in unison. 15.A photocomposing machine as claimed in claim 14, wherein the mirrors ofthe two periscope assemblies are in alignment with each other.
 16. Aphotocomposing machine as claimed in claim 15, wherein fine adjustmentpins extend from said position wheel.
 17. A photocomposing machine asclaimed in claim 16, wherein a forked fine adjustment adjacent saidwheel is adapted to engage the fine adjustment pins.
 18. Aphotocomposing machine as claimed in claim 17, wherein a solenoidadjacent said wheel is adapted to adjust the fine adjustment system. 19.A photocomposing machine as claimed in claim 18 wherein test lensmechanisms are mounted on a frame below each periscope assembly, saidtest lens mechanisms being in alignment with the mirror of the periscopeassembly to test whether the periscope assemblies are in properalignment with each other.
 20. A photocomposing machine as claimed inclaim 19 wherein a counterweight is positioned on the position wheel toproperly align the mirror of the periscope assembly with the test lensmechanism therebelow.
 21. A photocomposing machine as claimed in claim20, wherein the lens assemblies comprise a cylindrical lens holder and alens therewithin.
 22. A photocomposing machine as claimed in claim 21,wherein said lens assemblies are held in place on a frame by a clipmechanism.
 23. A reflecting mechanism for a photocomposing comprising alens system through which a light beam is directed; said lens systemcomprising a plurality of lens assemblies; said reflecting mechanismbeing adapted to direct said beam through one of said lens assemblies;means for moving said reflecting mechanism from a position to direct thebeam through one of said lens assemblies to a position to direct thebeam through another of said lens assemblies; said reflecting mechanismcomprising a periscope assembly, said periscope assembly being providedwith reflecting means to divert an incoming beam from its path and tocause it to pass through one of the lens assemblies.
 24. A reflectingmechanism as claimed in claim 23, wherein said reflecting mechanism ismovable in a curved path.
 25. A reflecting mechanism as claimed in claim24, wherein said lens assemblies are located in a curved patterncoincident with said curved path.
 26. A reflecting mechanism as claimedin claim 25, wherein the beam leaving the lens is parallel to theentering beam.
 27. A reflecting mechanism as claimed in claim 26,wherein said reflecting mechanism comprises a periscope assembly on eachside of said lens system.
 28. A reflecting mechanism as claimed in claim27, wherein the two periscope assemblies are adapted to move in unisonwith each other.
 29. A reflecting mechanism as claimed in claim 28,wherein each periscope assembly comprises an inner mirror and an outermirror.
 30. A reflecting mechanism as claimed in claim 29, wherein thetwo periscope assemblies comprise an inner mirror and an outer mirror inopposite and similarly angled relationship to each other.
 31. Areflecting mechanism as claimed in claim 30, wherein said secondassembly is mounted on a position wheel.
 32. A reflecting mechanism asclaimed in claim 31, wherein said position wheel has a plurality ofopenings through which the beam is directed.
 33. A reflecting mechanismas claimed in claim 32, wherein each periscope assembly has an outeropening and an inner opening opposite the outer and inner mirrors.
 34. Areflecting mechanism as claimed in claim 33, wherein a shaft connectsthe two periscope assemblies so that they rotate in unison.
 35. Areflecting mechanism as claimed in claim 34, wherein the mirrors of thetwo periscope assemblies are in alignment with each other.
 36. Areflecting mechanism as claimed in claim 35, wherein fine adjustmentpins are mounted on said position wheel.
 37. A reflecting mechanism asclaimed in claim 36, wherein a forked fine adjustment mechanism isadapted to engage the fine adjustment pins.
 38. A reflecting mechanismas claimed in claim 37, wherein a solenoid is adapted to operate thefine adjustment system.
 39. A reflecting mechanism as claimed in claim38 wherein test lens mechanisms are mounted on a frame below eachperiscope assembly, said test lens mechanisms being in alignment withthe mirror of the periscope assembly to test whether the periscopeassemblies are in proper alignment with each other.
 40. A reflectingmechanism as claimed in claim 39 wherein a counterweight is positionedon the position wheel to properly align the mirror of the periscopeassembly with the test lens mechanism therebelow.
 41. A reflectingmechanism as claimed in claim 40, wherein the lens assemblies comprise acylindrical lens hold and a lens therewith.
 42. A reflecting mechanismas claimed in claim 41, wherein said lens assemblies are held in placeby a clip mechanism.